We are pleased to announce a new post-doctoral research position with the Ohio Policy Evaluation Network (OPEN) at the Ohio State University. OPEN conducts rigorous, impactful, and forward thinking social-science research on the reproductive health of Ohioans. Our program is comprised of multiple interdisciplinary research projects which assess reproductive health outcomes, equity, access, cost, and autonomy in the context of federal and state laws and policies. The team includes faculty, staff, and students from Ohio State University, University of Cincinnati, Case Western Reserve University, and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.
Details
We seek an exceptional scholar with a strong background and interest in reproductive health research, including policy, infant and maternal mortality, contraception, and abortion. This position will provide post-doctoral research training and support (per NIH postdoctoral fellow salary rates) for one year, renewable for a second year upon satisfactory performance. The position also includes funds for travel to conferences for research dissemination and professional development. Specifically, the OPEN post-doctoral researcher will work under the mentorship of two OPEN investigators and will make contributions to the OPEN research program, collecting and managing data, conducting analyses and collaborating on writing manuscripts. In addition, the post-doctoral researcher will be engaged with OPEN’s activities in research dissemination and policy engagement, training, and building and expanding a network of scholars in Ohio and surrounding states.
The OPEN post-doctoral researcher will be based at Ohio State’s main Columbus campus, and will divide their effort between two related projects within OPEN. The distribution of abortion in Ohio (led by Dr. Alison Norris) will examine past and present population-level shifts in abortion provision, with special attention to change over time, geographic variation, and groups of women who may be underserved using state-collected data as well as medical chart review. Systems dynamic modeling of infant and maternal mortality (led by Dr. Ayaz Hyder) will utilize a systems modeling approach to understand the impacts of contraception and access to contraception and reproductive health services on birth outcomes and infant and maternal mortality in Ohio.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants are US citizens or permanent residents specializing substantively in reproductive health, who have earned a PhD or equivalent degree before the onset of this position. OPEN recognizes the strength that results from a diverse team, and applicants are encouraged to articulate which identities, backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences they will bring to our team. Candidates from underrepresented groups (including racial/ethnic minorities, those from rural areas, or who were first-generation college students), are especially encouraged to apply. In addition, preference will be given to candidates with strong intentions to remain in Ohio or seek work in the region after training, as well as those who plan to focus on reproductive health policy-relevant research. OPEN does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion.
Required experience and characteristics include abilities to manage multiple sites or projects at once; excellent written and verbal communication skills; an ability to multi-task and function independently; good decision making and leadership qualities; strong networking and outreach skills; effective community relation skills; and a strong desire to advance public health knowledge in Ohio. Preferred experience and characteristics include having skills in medical data extraction including chart reviews, and using state and federal datasets from vital statistics and surveys (e.g., birth certificates, PRAMS). Additional preferred experience includes conducting group model building workshops or experience with similar types of collaborative model building exercises; knowledge of software for development and calibration of system dynamics models (e.g., Vensim, Forio, AnyLogic or R); knowledge of reproductive health and perinatal epidemiology concepts; experience in qualitative methods; basic knowledge of reproductive health landscape in Ohio or similar states; and experience with grant-funded projects. Training in systems science and modeling approaches will be provided to the selected candidate based on their level of expertise in systems science methods.
Application Process
To apply for this position please send 1) a cover letter expressing your knowledge, experience and interests in reproductive health research and details about training and work experience to date 2) curriculum vitae, 3) one writing sample, and 4) contact information for two academic references. Applicants who have not yet completed their Ph.D. must also include a letter from their Committee or Department Chair specifying the date of the dissertation defense.
Please address your application to Dr. Abigail Norris Turner, Director of the OPEN Training Core, and submit to [email protected]. We will acknowledge receipt of all applications.
Abigail Norris Turner, PhD
Associate Professor
Director, OPEN Training Core
Department of Internal Medicine College of Medicine
N1144 Doan Hall,
410 W. 10th Avenue
Columbus, OH,
43210
Review of applications will begin on October 1, 2018 and will continue until the position is filled. We anticipate a position start date in January 2019.